a set of social norms supporting heterosexuality as the dominant sexuality as well as the alignment of biological sex, sexuality, gender identity, and gender roles (Lovaas & Jenkins, 2006)


The belief that people fall into distinct and complementary genders (man and woman) with natural roles in life. (Wikipedia) The view that all human beings are either male or female, both in sex and in gender, and that sexual and romantic thoughts and relations are normal only when between people of different sexes. (Wordnik) Heteronormativity emphasises the extent to which…

what caused your heterosexuality?

Family or Environment? Nature or Nurture?

Q: What do you think caused your heterosexuality?

A: That’s a really weird question. I’ve never been asked that.

A: I don’t really know. I think it’s because I grew up in a very regular family.

A: Perhaps my environment, perhaps my family, perhaps my upbringing.

A: I guess we were raised like that. Heteronormativity decides. Partly.

A: I think it was just an innate thing, within me that just happened.

A: It’s natural. Growing up in an environment.

Q: When and how did you first decide you were heterosexual?

A: I don’t really know.

A: Twelve? Thirteen?

A: When I was six.

A: When I was five.

A: Your first crush. When you are little.

A: I think that was when I fell in love in the eighth grade, I had a boyfriend. And I was really, like, excited and nervous around him. He held my hand.

Q: Is it possible your heterosexuality is just a phase you may grow out of?

A: That’s a very good point. It’s possible, yeah.

A: I don’t know what’s coming in the future, so…

A: No, I don’t think so.

A: My wife might be upset.

A: Maybe, yeah.

A: No, but maybe I will decide to experience all sorts of things. But no I think…




heteronormativity and gender neutral language

Laci Green Talks about Gender, Sexual Orientation and Language “Why do you call him your partner? Isn’t he your boyfriend?” Gender-neutral language is inclusive… When everyone uses the word ‘partner’ it includes non-binaries, so people who don’t necessarily fit into a two-gender structure… and by everyone using the word ‘partner’, we didn’t force anybody in the group to out themselves…